Wolves have temporarily halted their £30m chase for Chelsea striker Armando Broja to ensure they adhere to Premier League expenditure regulations.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have temporarily halted their pursuit of Armando Broja for a £30 million transfer as they strive to ensure compliance with Premier League financial regulations. The Chelsea forward is highly esteemed by manager Gary O’Neil and the club’s recruitment team, headed by sporting director Matt Hobbs, and has been pinpointed as a primary target for the No 9 position at Molineux.
However, with one week remaining in the winter transfer window, O’Neil disclosed that Wolves have adjusted their plans due to financial constraints, though they acknowledge the unpredictability of the market, leaving room for potential developments. While Broja was not explicitly mentioned, Mail Sport understands that Wolves were considering an initial loan move for the 22-year-old, with an obligation to purchase at around £30 million.
“We had been exploring a couple of possibilities, but it appears they may not be feasible financially, so we’re revisiting other options,” said O’Neil. “It’s disappointing because we believed we were making progress, but it seems unattainable now.”
“I won’t simply sign a player for the sake of it. We must bring in individuals who merit the opportunity to represent us and are of sufficient quality. January presents challenges. Prices are inflated, and clubs are reluctant to part with key players.”
Earlier in January, the Molineux manager was hopeful of securing at least one center-forward after permitting Sasa Kalajdzic and Fabio Silva to leave on loan. However, ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup encounter against local rivals West Bromwich Albion, O’Neil conceded that circumstances had changed.
Wolves encountered financial constraints last summer, having sold players worth £140 million to adhere to spending regulations. During the previous summer, they came close to acquiring Che Adams from Southampton and explored a deal for West Ham striker Danny Ings in the current window.
O’Neil’s immediate focus is guiding Wolves to victory at The Hawthorns for the first time since 1996. “I am acutely aware of the significance of this match to our supporters. We have been discussing with the players the emotional aspect of the game,” he added.
